Help with infection issue.

[marinm5]

I had #30 extracted Sunday before Thanksgiving. Two days later I was in the dental chair with a lot of pain. The dentist changed my antibiotic to something stronger and cleaned out the area a bit. On Saturday after Thanksgiving I was in the dental chair again. My gum around the area was so swollen and sore. Felt like infection was trying to get out somewhere. The dentist opened up the extraction site, cleaned it out, packed it and told me to continue with antibiotics. I was in excruciating pain after the numbing wore off but the next day was better and the swelling seemed to be gone. Today, Monday, the swelling is back and my gum feels like it did before he cleaned it out. I have been following directions to the letter with salt water rinsing 4 times per day, but especially after I consume any broth, etc. I feel like this is never going to heal up. I am a bleeder and had a lot of difficulty with the extraction to begin with. Anybody have any suggestions?

[marinm5]

Thank you. I am continuing to rinse with Peroxyl rinse as ok'd by my dentist. The area is very very slowly beginning to heal over, but the gum tissue is still extremely red and very tender. There is still an opening where the gum has not closed up and I am hoping that this will close soon. I was told that it could take as long as two months before total healing if not longer. My dentist stopped the antibiotics but I am continuing to take anti-inflammatory for discomfort. This extraction was by far the worst experience with an extraction I have ever had, including complicated wisdom tooth removal. I'm sure the infection didn't help things at all. Thank you so kindly for your suggestion.

[Sanjivani Wanjari, MD]

Hi,
A difficult dental extraction can cause a lot of pain and inflammation. Also the presence of infection in your case has complicated matters. Maintaining good oral hygiene, mouth washes, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs will take care of the healing process although it may be a delayed one. Keep follow up with your dentist.
Hope this helps.